Making new paths is difficult. But, walking on well-worn paths can be just as hard, even treacherous. Living in the “snow belt” of Michigan this winter, I’m particularly attuned to walking paths. I live near the downtown area of Kalamazoo and it is extremely easy to...
We acknowledge the painful holiday reality at least in passing. People make it their Facebook status for an hour. Churches open the doors for “longest night” or “Blue Christmas” services. Yoga studios hold winter solstice asana practices that honor the darkness and...
Adapted from a sermon preached by Rev. Nicole Havelka on Dec. 8, 2013 at Pilgrim UCC, St. Joseph, MI For months, I nodded along politely while my fellow seminary students earnestly discussed their daily prayer and meditation practices. I was totally convinced that...
I don’t know about you, but I remember quite vividly the wiggly anticipation with which I greeted Christmas Eve as a child. I remember dressing up in my new Christmas dress (often a red one which was a favorite color even back then) and my annual pair of black patent...